Wisconsin Looks to Keep Win Streak Alive, Iowa Seeks Redemption Against Michigan

With just two weeks remaining in the Big Ten’s regular season, a few teams still have something to play for and this includes those in the conference’s game of the week: #19 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1) at #25 Minnesota (8-2, 4-2).

Both teams will enter the game with win streaks as the Gophers have won four straight while the Badgers have a five-game streak going. The game winner will also leave with Paul Bunyan’s Axe trophy.

Change has come this season to the Badgers but they haven’t skipped a beat. Last week in their 51-3 rout over Indiana (4-6, 2-4), they held the Hoosiers to their lowest scoring game of the season (previously averaging 40 points per game)–something done by the Badgers for the sixth time this season against opposing teams.

A key to Wisconsin’s success is their run defense which was remade by new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda with his 3-4 formation. Defensive line changes have held opponents to 4.3 yards per play average–the No. 5 average for a FBS defense–while giving up 98.8 rushing yards per game — No. 7 nationally.

Melvin Gordon

The Badgers also have a great offense and this is led by its running back duo of James White and Melvin Gordon, who both have 1,000 yard seasons. The team is averaging seven yards per rush attempt while Gordon is the nation’s leader at 8.51 yards per carry. He’s 62 carries shy of reaching 300 attempts and should this happen, he’ll break the FBS record (8.26 yard average).

For Minnesota, they’ve exceeded expectations this season and now have their eyes on a New Year’s Day game–something they haven’t done since 1962 as Rose Bowl winners.

They’ll have to do so without their top wide receiver Derrick Engel who suffered a torn ACL last Sunday in practice. He’s now out for the season.

Engel leads Minnesota with his 25 catches for 405 yards and five touchdowns. None of his fellow receivers have greater than eight receptions this season and tight end, Maxx Williams, is the second leading receiver with his 17 catches, 299 yards and four touchdowns.

The Gophers have running back David Cobb, who has averaged 142 ground yards in their win streak. Against Penn State on Nov. 9, Cobb had 139 ground yards.

Minnesota likes to keep possession of the ball and they sit at No. 8 nationally with a 33:23 average time. Wisconsin sits at No.3 with 34:06.

On the line for these two teams are postseason implications as both have slim chances to win their divisions. Wisconsin needs to win their next two games while No. 4 Ohio State will need to lose its next two (Indiana and Michigan) in order to head to the Dec. 7 Big Ten championship game.

Both teams are set to go bowling already and this weeks’ game is a battle of the expectations: one team has exceeded them, one has not.

Iowa’s defense has flown under the radar as Michigan State has stolen headlines; it sits at No. 9 nationally in total defense and it is especially strong in the red zone, only giving up nine red-zone touchdowns this season (tied nationally for the lowest).

Since Week 1, the defense hasn’t given up a first-quarter touchdown.

Devin Gardner

They’ll be challenged by Wolverines quarterback, Devin Gardner. Last season he tore up Iowa’s defense with his six touchdowns (three on the ground, three passing), 350 yards offense and a 42-17 win in the Big House.

This season Gardner is averaging 268.3 passing yards per game against Big Ten opponents but is less impressive on the ground with his 46.1 yards per game average. Some of this comes from his offensive line giving up 31 sacks.

Iowa has won the three of the last four meetings (two straight in Iowa City) and will get another victory on Saturday (-6, 45.5 o/u).